Nine-year tackle Jeff Backus has been selected as the Lions’ recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award which recognizes NFL men of courage. He will be honored at the Detroit Lions Courage House dinner on Tuesday at Ford Field.

Backus, who was the Lions’ first-round draft pick in 2001 out of Michigan, has started at left tackle for Detroit from his first game as a rookie and never missed a start since then. His string of 132 straight starts is the most by any offensive linemen in Lions’ history and ranks tops of any active NFL offensive lineman.

At the dinner ESPN’s Mike Tirico will be the guest speaker and the Ricky Sandoval Award will be presented to former Lion Mike Utley. Tickets are still available for the Courage House dinner at (313) 216-4171.
— PAULA PASCHE